Jade Helm 15: Texans Terrified of Obama-Led US Army Invasion

Many Texans are extremely anxious about the upcoming military training exercises, named Jade Helm 15, which will last from July 15 to September 15. Residents of Bastrop County suspect a “secret Obama plot” to install surveillance over residents, to confiscate citizens’ guns and establish martial law across the whole state, the Washington Post reported.

Former Bastrop Mayor Terry Orr believes the reason for the strong reaction to the military exercises is the fact that President Barack Obama is African-American, adding that many residents distrust Obama because of the deterioration of the economic situation in the country, believing the president to be mostly interested in solving the problems of African-Americans and “illegal aliens.”

“People think the government is just not on the side of the white guy,” Orr said.

“Things aren’t as good as they used to be,” said Bastrop’s current mayor, Kenneth Kesselus. “The middle class is getting squeezed and they’ve got to take it out on somebody, and Obama is a great target.”

Jade Helm first sparked anxiety among Texans when the US military released a map of the planned exercises, showing the territory of Texas colored red and marked as “hostile.”

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Mark Lastoria, in an effort to assuage fears, said designations on the map are part of a fictional scenario.

As he explained, Jade Helm will simulate “US Special Forces helping resistance fighters restore democracy in an imaginary country.” He also suggested that the operation’s logo, which features a Dutch wooden shoe, is reminiscent of anti-Nazi resistance in World War II Europe.

Jade Helm will involve 1,200 troops across seven states, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. The Texas operation will be confined to military bases and private property where the military has secured the landowners’ permission, the Washingon Post wrote.

The majority of Texans supported Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to send the Texas State Guard to “monitor” Jade Helm 15.